HISD’s high school chief is on leave — UPDATED

David Simmons, Houston ISD’s new chief officer over high schools, is on leave, district spokesman Norm Uhl confirms. Uhl had no other details.

HISD Superintendent Terry Grier hired Simmons, who had abruptly resigned from his job as superintendent of Richardson ISD, in February. If you’ll remember, Grier’s first pick for his chief of middle schools, Terence Johnson, who worked for KIPP, bowed out and decided to stay at the charter school chain, shortly after his name was released.

UPDATE II: HISD has posted the job of chief high school officer. The date on the post was TuesdayMonday. When I talked to Grier Tuesday Monday, he didn’t mention this. He said he wasn’t sure how long Simmons would be on leave. I e-mailed Simmons at his HISD address and got an out of office message and left a message with his secretary, who said she would get a message to him. But I don’t expect a call back based on his exit from Richardson ISD. (Thanks to commenter “rock” for pointing out the job listing.)